Chapter 20 - Bumpy Ride

The rest of our carriage ride was more of the silence and the sound of the moving carriage and the horses neighing, the curtains covered the window so I couldn't look out but I was lucky enough to bring a book, I don't mind pretending to read it until we get there, Who knows how long till we do, I couldn't just wait to free myself from here.

I partially lift my gaze to look at Cedric, who had his gaze to the floor, leaning back, his elbow rested on the armchair, his knuckles against the side of his head.

I couldn't tell what he was thinking, his features remained unreadable as usual, my presence unacknowledged.

I scoffs and then I cleared my throat, which was a mistake on my part, and then his gaze lands on me, those green eyes.

In a slight panic, I raised my book to cover my eyes. Good job Sylvia, now he caught you staring.

"I'm sure you must find whatever you're reading interesting" his smooth sonorous voice sounds.

I didn't say anything, I don't intend on talking to him at all if I had the chance.

"Most especially when your book is upside down"

I froze, I haven't even realized it. Great! I shut the book placing it on my lap.

"Anything to avoid talking to you," I said sassily.

A ghost smile pressed his lips.

I shrugged.

Suddenly the carriage budge, hard, like the wheels step on something, I gasp as I plunged forward unbalanced, my book dropping to the floor, I thought I would be next, but then strong arms caught me before I did, I shivered at his cold touch, his skin wasn't warm like last night, does his body regulate temperature?

I slowly raised my head, my hood coming off from the action, my light brown eyes met with his, our faces inches apart, my eyes subconsciously fell to his pale pink lips.

My heart suddenly started slamming loudly, the only rhythm I could hear from this moment of silence, his hand on my arms was firm, in a tight hold, but not enough to hurt me.

The carriage budge again, and then time our nose brushed, I gasped because our lips almost did too, as if he knew, his head turned towards the direction of the window.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed as my forehead came in contact with his chest.

"Chauffeur!" he retorted.

The carriage stopped abruptly.

I was still locked in Cedric's arms, I didn't know if I should move or not, either way, I just stayed still.

"Lord Cedric" The chauffeur voice came from the window, I thanked the curtains for being down, I was feeling embarrassed enough.

"I apologize for the disruption, these roads are under reconstruction, we might experience shaking to the carriage again"

"What about the other route?"

"Closed my Lord"

"Very well" Cedric dismissed him.

I heard the chauffeur retreat, using that opportunity I quickly pulled away from Cedric who didn't seem to mind.

I sat back down, my cheeks felt hot, everywhere suddenly felt hot, or was it just me. I avoided meeting gaze with Cedric because I knew he was staring at me like a hawk.

It just keep getting hotter and hotter, and then the carriage just had to budge again, once again he caught me, ugh why did we have to follow this route.

"I suggest you find a way to stay put, I can't always catch you" I could hear the irritation in his voice, So what he didn't like touching me or what?

I shot him a glance, he raised an eyebrow at my actions.

The carriage budge again, I was buried in his arms once again, ugh this was getting frustrating, my cheeks were so hot right now.

I heard him sigh.

"Just seat beside me," he said letting go of me.

Too embarrassed to protest I did as I was told, making sure I look the other way.

Now seated so close to him, my heart kept skipping beats, and the more the carriage budge, the more our bodies brushed, I wasn't just feeling hot but more a feeling struck me straight to my core. My legs squeezed tightly as my tightened fist was placed on my lap, What was wrong with me? My body was reacting in such a way I didn't like.

My gaze traveled to my side, his hand was spread out behind, resting on the top of the chair, I stared at his hand almost resting on my shoulder, but didn't.

I turned to shift slightly, my knuckles were white now due to how tightly I clenched my fist, this was becoming too much to handle, and to even worsen my case I turned, my eyes averting to him.

His gaze was to the floor, I could see his long black lashes from this angle, do men have such lashes? Surely they do but could it be perfect like this, and how his midnight hair fell on his forehead in straight bangs only increased the perfection.

I didn't mind gawking at him like a lost puppy or something to eat... Dear Lord! Did I just see him as something to eat? My mind was seriously in turmoil here.

I licked my lips and then he just had to look my way that moment, it was like my soul left my body that moment, those intelligent green eyes on him like I was a puzzle.

My bottom lip was buried beneath my up lip, a result of my action earlier.

He tilts his head to the side like I was a strange being, I could see some interest in his eyes as to what I was thinking, I was just so lost in those green eyes, that I didn't even know when his fingers reach for my chin, pushing it down slightly correcting my lip position.

"How come you always act so unladylike" he intoned.

I was instantly broke out of my trance.

"What?" I said with a frown.

"Tell me Sylvia..." he began, his fingers still beneath my chin.

I shiver, my name rolling off his tongue always does that to me.

"What were you thinking?"